A gate follows level: a sufficiently loud signal opens it, while a low signal is attenuated. Threshold sets the boundary, and Release sets the closing response. Noise at −60 dBFS can still open a gate with a −70 dBFS threshold; a −55 dBFS threshold is more likely to close it during pauses. A threshold that is too high can cut quiet picking or sustain.
A short Release becomes quiet quickly, but note endings can feel abrupt. A longer Release closes more naturally while leaving noise audible for longer. A gate does not separate noise from a note while it is open. Place it before drive to reduce input noise during pauses, or after drive to address noise present at that point. Placing it before Delay/Reverb lets existing tails continue rather than closing them off.
Denoising can estimate noise while you play. Noise-profile Learn captures an example of noise; it is different from training an AI model. Spectral denoising can work without a neural network. An AI model needs to suit its domain; a speech denoiser is not automatically safe for guitar harmonics. Aggressive reduction can remove brightness or sustain, or create watery or chirping artifacts. In Rigs, Noise Reduction is available in Input settings before Trim, EQ, and all pedals. It learns noise for three seconds while the strings are muted. The profile follows the device, input channel, and sample rate; preset changes do not replace it. Start at Reduction 12 dB and use Listen removed noise to check what is being removed. When active, this feature adds 256 samples of delay, about 5.33 ms at 48 kHz. Read how to use Noise Reduction.
Concept references
Gate versus denoise
Why does a gate not remove hiss while a note is playing?
- Gate while idle (−60 dBFS)
- Closing
- Gate at a −30 dBFS note
- Open
- Release
- 200 ms
When the gate is open, noise passes through with the note. An excessive threshold can cut sustain. Denoise has a different aim: reducing noise while the signal is still playing.
A synthetic decaying note with deterministic repeated noise at −60 dBFS. This is a simple envelope gate, not a native Hush or denoise simulation; it does not record, learn a noise profile, or request microphone access.